Air circulating device



Sept. 13, 1949. c. w. TowT AIR CIRCULATING DEvIcE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1946 4 w. mr. N ww ma n WT. A W. w. 5M W 3 o Y 46 MB C i z, w

Sept. 13, 194 9. c, w, TOWT 2,481,702

AIR CIRGULATING DEVICE Filed May 27, 1946 3 sneeS-sheet v:2

l N VEN TOR,

C'HLfs M Tak/7:

BYV w 3137 6W Sept. 13, 1949. c. w. TowT 2,48l,702

AIR cIRcuLATING DEvIcE Filed May 27, 1946 3y shee'ts-sheet s INVENTOR, C'HAQLES W Tak/71.

Arrow/eva- BYWMIW Patented Sept. 13, 1949 AIR, CIRCULATIN-G DEVICE.

Charles W. Tow't, Lo Angeles,- Calif., assignor to Charles Kincheloe Towt, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 27-, 1946, Serial No. 652,665.

9 Claims.

vvThe invention relates to air ciroulators and has particular reference to a fan or air propeller of relatively large capacity designed to be mounted. upon a tower for circulating air over large areas such as orchards, vineyards and cultivated fields.

It has been known and appreciated for some years that the growth of certain o rchard crops can be assisted and stimulated by circulation of air` 'It has been demonstrated that air in certain fruit growing Sections, particularly, has a tendency to stratify, and where there is not a sufficient natural circulation of air for long periods of time certain circumstances prevail which, for example, may prevent satisfactory pollination during blossom time or which during the cold seasons may permit a strata of air. which is too cold to cling 'to the area where thetrees are located. It has, moreover, been satisfactorily demonstrated that when the stratified air is broken up and circulated pollination is increased, fruit yield is increased and the effects of killing frosts are minimized. Other advantages also may be enjoyed which depend upon the circulation of air lsuch as distribution of certain types of insecticide.

.It has been found, moreover, that propellers of large capacity mounted upon towers can be effectively used for inducing an artificial circlllation of air. Care, however, must be taken to provide a circulation of air having sumcient volume and a properly regulated Velocity and direction, since improper circulation .may be more damaging than beneficial.

`It is. therefore, among the objects `of the invention to provide a new `and improved .air circulating device which can be mounted at 'a sufficient height above the ground and which is ,so constructed that it is capable of providing a large volume of air for circulation over a .relatively large area, properly controlled vand directed so that the benefioial results `described above may be ,attained Another Vobject of the invention is to provide a new .and improvecl .air .circulating device which is simple in design -and construction permitting it to be prefabricated with respect to its individual parts, readily crated and shipped, and easily assembled at the site.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new `and improved air circulating 'device which adapted to be mounted 'upon .a 'tower in za manner `permi-tting air to be directed in any direction throughout -a 360 yarc.

:Still .another object `of the inventi-on is Yto :pro-f.

vide a new and improved air circulating towerwherin the motor Source may onSiSt of. a com-i bustion engine completely Controlled from a location near the ground.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a tower for mounti-ng van engine adapted to drive an air propeller wherein the engine may be geared to a suitable drive so that the engine is rotated at the same time and fromthe same source as the motive power which'dr'ives the propeller; there being fu'rther provided a hollow shaft in the tower for anchoring the engine rotatably upon the tower which may also be utilizaed as a, gastank and through which may extend, if desi-red, necessary control-s Vfor the Vmotor which are adapted to rotate with the motor and there'by leave the motor entirely'f-ree for continued 360 rotation.

With these and other objects lin view, the inventon consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts -of the device wherebjy 'the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pint: ed out in the claims and illustrated in the accom panying drawings, in which:

Eigu-re 1 is a side, elev'ational view of a towershowing an engine operated -propeller rotatably mounted upon the top.

Figure 2 is an enlarg'ed, lengit-udina'l, sectional viewrof the upper portion of the 'tower and engine taken on the 'line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 'is 'a side, ejlevational view of the engine and the engine support showing details of the drive adaptd to rctate the engine.

Figura 4 is Aa fragmentary, longitudinal, sect-ional view taken on 'the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figu-re 5 is a fragmentary, plan view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional v-ie-w showing a portion of the platform yon the top of the tower.

Among the features desired in a wind tower or air circulat-ing device adapted to the -purpoe described herein 'is to constr-uct a tower in such a way that it can be readily shipped -to a suitable location insome orchard and there assem'bled *by the -purcnaser without it being necessary -to engagle steel -erection men or persons speoially skilled in the installation of devices of 'this sort;

`In order that the Vdevice maybe operated efficiently, it must be of such simple and ruggedlconstruction as to provide `few parts which become wom or which can getont .o f order. .Since these devices must ibe operated snasmosiianv .whenever desired .and be rlaoedinoperationor dioontinaed from operation without ,great `loss of it is in any direction whatever at any timeor be continuously revolved'duri'ng operation.

In an embodime'nt chosen to illustrate the in- Vention and in which these highly desirable features are incorporated there is shown a, tower Ill,V

which is preferably constructed in two parts,

comprising a lower section and an upper section |2 adapted to be divided or separated at the point 13.

The tower sections each compri'se structural forms having essentially the shape of a truncated pyramid, wider at the base than at the top. The

lower section ll may be providedgwith feet |4 adapted to support the tower upona supporting surface |5 which may, for example, be a concrete slab or other suitable foundation. i

. At its upper end the tower section l2 is provided with a horizontal frame' IB tothe top of which isapplied a platform or plate I'l, suitably bolted'to the frame |6, having a, smooth upper surface. The platformjshould preferably be provided with an annularfiat track |8.V

Mounted upon the platform is a box frame, indicated generally 1by the character 20, whichis substantially square inV cross-section and has somewhat `rectangular, sides formed of crossbracing and. Vertical struts. The box frame is provided at each .corner with a swivel caster wheel 2| adapted to ride'upon the track (8.7: At thetop of the box frame thereis 'provided an engine base 22 suitably'br-aced bytriangular struts 23 and adapted to support a gasoline or other engine 24 of conventional design. z A- In this instance, the engine is indicated as a gasoline engine provided with a horizontally disposed driveshaft 25. The drive shaft is connected to a gear housing 26from which extends a propeller shaft 21 atthe outer end of which is a propeller28.- .The engineis preferably provided with a suitable casing or hood 29 surrounding the sides and top; A-radiator 30 is illustrated as being located at the end ofthe engineopposite from the location of the propeller. I i

The engine .mounting and box frame are all secured together as. one part by suitable bolts or other appropriate connections. The engine-and the box frame, therefore, are adapted to rotate'as a unit, the'engine being balanced upon the vbox frame soV that its weight ,during operation is properly distributed upon the caster Wheels 2|.

In order to hold the box frame in a rotating position upon the platform and track, there is provideda-central rotating shaft. In this -embodiment,a cylindrical shaft ofrrelatively large diameter has been utilized. The cylindrical shaft is provided with a'fiange 36 at the top to which is bolted'a plate 31 Vcompletely covering theupper end of the cylindrical. shaft. The plateis here shown as forming a bottom plate -forV the engine base and provides afmeans of attaching the top ofthe cylindricalshaft to both the engine base and-,the top -of the lbox frame.. ,g-The cylindrical shaft is centerably dispose'd'w'ithinth boxfframe. .Theplate orplatform If! has vat its centera circularVap'e'rt'ure:38V slightly'larger in diameter than the 'outside diametejrof' the cylindrical shaft and s'ervesv as a'journa'l bearing for' the shaft at a point intermediate its upper and lower end.

"4 At the lower end of the shaft there is provided a bearing 40, the casing of which is mounted upon a horizontal beam 4|. In this particular embodiment, a bearing ring 42 engages a collar 43 which is fastened to a bottom 44 of the cylindrical shaft. By construeting the bearing in the manner shown the bearing serves both as a thrust bearing and i a journal bearing. Cooperation of ;the ;bearing 4D and the journal bearing effect ofthe aperture 38 serves to rotatably center the cylindrical shaftV vat the top of the tower and thus permit it to roatably. anchor the box frame and engine in place. The weight of the engine and the box frame is sufiicient'to hold it down in a satisfactory manner upon the platform..

In this embodiment, it has been found advantageous to utiliz'e 'the cylindrical shaft 35 as a;- fuel tank for the storage of gasoline which is supplied in a conventional manner to the engine' 24. For filling the tank there .is provided av filler` spout 45 at the top of the box frame -equipped` with a suitable' cap 46. It will be observedthat the cylindrical shaft, which serves` as `,a."tank, i rotates withthe box frame andengine as ,ai'part' of the box frame-engine assembly.

In order to drive the box frame and engine unit through a rotating cycle, power may begtakenf from the drive shaft 'of the engine -andutili'zed as a' means of rotation. The parts selected for 2 the utilization of engine power in thislmannerj comprise a ring gear bolted to the platformfll by suitable bolts. 5|; the ring gear being Vprovided with teeth 52 at the outsidecircumference, said circumference being of relativelylarge diameter. The ring gear, vof course, remain's'sta-V tionarily disposed on the platform4 l'l. f Meshing withlthe ring gearis 'a gear orpiniori 53 keyed to a driven shaftV 54, the driven shaft beingsuitably journalled by well-known Vmeans ,up-

on the box frame and by a journal bearing 55'at'` the top of the engine base. At its upper' end the, driven shaft is provided with a' bevel gear. 56 meshing with a corresponding bevelV gear ,`5 'l which forms part of a' gear reduction'niechan'ism 58. The gearreduction mechanism is connected through gears 59 and .69 to the drive shaft 25.7 `In' this manner rotation of the engine driveshaft,

which may beat a relatively high speed, is trans,-l

ferred through the gear reduction mechanism in a manner permitting rotation of the driven shaft tion is Controlled entirely by adjustment of ai conventional throttle. starting of the engine may be accomplished by resort to the usual storage batteries and se1f-starter,:not shown.

In order that the self-starter and throttle control may be manipulated. entirely byV a, person standing on the ground at the base of the tower, i there is provided means for passing mechanical controls or electrical controls, as occasion 'may require, downwardly from the engine andfbox frame. V. i. `j

In this particular embodiment, a hollow tube 68 is located centerably withinfthe hollow shaft 35. The tube is anchored to a sleeve 6| onthe` top plate 31 and extendsfn sealed relationship i through the collar 43. The lowere'nd of the tube terminates in a control box 62 located adjacent the base of the tower. Engine control cables '63 for the throttle and 64: for the starter. for example-,'originate'in the control box 62;, extendupwardly through theA tube 6,0 and emerge at the top. The cables may be passed over suitable idler pulleys 65,;66 and- 61:, the pulleys 6,5 being. mounted in thesleeve 6|' and the pulleys 5.6 and 61" being carried. by aV bracket 68. The cables 63 and 64 may then be led from the id-ler pul'leys E1 to. the conventional throttle and self-starter, not shown. It should be noted that the tube, 6.0 forms an integral part of the cylindrical shaft:l and is adaptedf to rotate with the cylindrical 'shaft and the. box frame-engine assembly. Rotation being at a relatively low: speed. makes adj'ustment of the controls in` the similarly rotating: control box E2 arelatively; simple matter..

When the device' is shipped, it is customary to break the tower into its upper and; lower sections ll' and: and crate them 'separatem Thef box frame can likewise. be crated separately as; can also be the engine. For convenience, the cylindrioa shaft. 35 with the tube 60 removedcan. be used as a receptacle for shipping the propeller 28. The. tube 60, wh-ich'canV be ordinary pipe, is adapted to be provided in sections shortenough to be shipped with the cylindrical shaft.

When the device -is erected, the tower sections are first assembled one above the other, and the cylindrical. section. may then` readily be mounted in place upon its bearing in the. upper tower sec.- tion. By use of a .Smitehle lift the box frame may then be located uponthe platform and centered upon the cylindrical shaft, ;following which the engine may be mounted and bolted in; place secu-nng it to' both the bex frame and the upper .end of the cylindrical .shaft- When the cebles 63 and 64 are connected to the eppropriate motor parts, threaded through the tube 60 and attached within the control box 62, the device is ready for operation.

Normally, it will be necessary only to operate the self-starter which sets the entire device in operation and then to control its speed by means of the cable attached to the throttle. There may, however, be occasions wherein Iit is desirable to disconnect the drive from the engine to the ring gear so that the propeller will continuously project air in one direction only. Should this be required, a conventional type clutch may be interposed between the drive shaft 25 and the driven shaft 54 and a clutch cable attached thereto and run through the tube 60 in the same manner as are the cables 63 and 64.

Customarily, the propeller will rotate relatively slowly so as to push a large volume of air outwardly at only a moderate Velocity suilicient to break up the strata of air without actually creating what may be termed a "wind." The continual circulation of air will be sufficient to break up the strata, and whether the propeller projects air in one direction only or whether it projects air continuously throughout a 360 arc, air will be moved away from the tower in the direction of propeller projection, and movement of airrin this manner will tend to draw air from strata either above or below the top of the tower into the propeller stream. Operation of the device will affect a considerable within a radius centering about the tower location.

By providing an air circulating device comprising prefabricated parts of rugged and simple construction, as shown, there is provided an inexpensive wind tower which may be erected at any desirable location in an orchard or other fruit growing area.

Although the invention has; been herein Vahoirni and described in what: concei-ved .to be the most. practicalv and preferred embodi-ment,it. is recognized that departure'sv may be made therefrorn within the. scope of the inyention, which is notV to. be limited to. the details' disclosed herein but is. to be. accorded the full scope of the claims, so asv to. embrace any and all equivalent structures. i

The invention having been herein described, what is. claimed'. and sought to be securedby' Letters Patent is:

. 1; An air' circulating device comprising a tower and a platform at the top, a box frame having rollers adapted to traverse the platform,

an enginev centrally balanced on the box frame and a propeller driven by said engine, and' a support for` said box frame` resistant to' lateral' thrn'st comprising a shaft extending. through the box frame and the platform, one end being attach'ed to the box frame and the other end being in rotaticnal-` engagement with the tower adiacent. thelocation of said roll'ersintermediate top and bottom thereof.

2.. .n air circulating' device comprising a tower having a lower pyramidal section includmg a heise,v an upper pyramidal- Section having a bottom fitting the top of the lower section and aplatform at thev top, a box frame having roli'- ers adapted .to traverse. the platform' in the plaue of the upper face thereof, a combustion engine centraily balanced on the box frame' andv a substan-tially horizontally directed propeller driven by said engille, and a support for said engine and said box frame resistant to lateral: thrust comprising a Vertical shaft extending through the box frame and the platform attached at one end. at thetop of the box frame and at the other end. to the tower intermediate top and bottom thereof, said shaft having a rotating enga'gement with the platform in. substantiallt7 the same plane as the upper face of the platform.

3.-An air circulating device comprising a tower, a frame rotatably mounted at the top of the tower, an engine and propeller device on the frame, and a shaft for securing the frame to the tower comprising a fuel tank, said shaft having points of attachment respectively to the frame and to the tower at a location remote from the top, one of said points of attachment being a rotatable connection.

4. An air circulating device comprising a tower, a box frame rotatably mounted on the top of the tower, a combustion engine and propeller device balanced centerably on the box frame, and means for securing the box frame to the tower comprising a cylindrical shaft having closed bottom and top forming a fuel tank, the top of said tank being fixedly attached at the box frame and a bearing attaching the lower end of said shaft to the tower, said tower having an aperture therein providing a journal bearing in contact with the cylindrical shaft.

5. An air circulating device comprising a tower, a platform on the top of said tower, a box frame rotatably mounted on the platform, a combustion engine and propeller device balanced centerably on the box frame, and means for securing the box frame to the tower comprising a cylindrical shaft having closed bottom and top forming a fuel tank, the top of said tank being fixedly attached at the top of the box frame and a combined anchor and rotation bearing attaching said bottom to the tower at a location :7 remote'from the top of the'towen-said platform havingan' aperture therein'providing a journal 'bearing in contact with the cylindrical shaft intermediate the ends thereof.V

6. An air circulating -=device comprising a 'i tower, an engine base rotatably mount'ed on the -forming a fuel tank; thel top of said tank being fixedly attached to the base and a bearing 'attaching the lower end of said tank to the tower at a' location remote from the top thereof, and

control connections for the engine extending'centerably through the fuel tank and a control box therefor at the base of the tower.

7.` An air circulating device cornprising a tower, an engine base rotatably mounted on the tower, a combustion engine and propeller: device on' the base, and vmeans for `securing'the base to the tower comprising a, cylindrical shaft having closed bottom `and top forming' aV fuel tank, ,the top of said .tank being fixedly attached to the base and a bearing attaching the lower end of the shaft to the tower at a location `remote from the top thereof, and means for extending controls'for the engine to a location at the bottom of the tower comprising a tube eX- tending centerably through the fuel tank and the bearing having an open end above the top of' 'said'tank, a control box at the bottom of the-tube and controlrconnections between the engine and 'the control box :extending 'through said tube. i i g 8. iAn air circulating device comprsing a tower, a frame rotatably mounted at the top of the tower and secured against transverse' movement with 'respect thereto, a combustion engine and aIpropeller 'device balanced on the frame, a fuel tank connected 'to the frame and extending "fther'ebeneathIfcenterably' with respect' to the tower; said tank being rotatable'with the frame and the engine,' and means for extending' controls for the engine'l to a location at the lower portion 'of the tower comprising an extension on vthe bottom Aof the fuel'tankawcovntrol box and connections Vti'aversing thefextension* and the. fuel -tank'between the 'engine and'theic'oni trl box.v

9. An vair "circlating' device -cornprising a tower, V'a frame rotatably mounted at' the top'of v'the'towe'r and secured against transversev movementwith respect thereto, Va combustion engine Vand a prop'eller device balanced on the framefa fuel tank connected to the frame and extending therebeneath centerably with) respect to the tower, said tank being rotatable lwith the 'frame and the engine, andl means 'for extending'con- 'itrols'for .the` engine to a location atv the .lower yportionfof the tower comprising a"tube extending through'the fuel ,tank having open .endsat thel topaandfbottomvthereof, a central: box at the 'bottom of the Utube and. fconnectionsv extending through the tube between the engineV and the control-box. f CHARLES W TO'WT.=

w REFERENCES oIrED f w The following references V'are of recoi'difin the `fiie of'this patent:v w i UNITED STATESYPA'I'ENTS i Number Name l i i Date 572,008 Hedgesf ;Novg 24,` 1-898 w .610,852 Rene- ;sept. 13',.189'8, 936,668 Roberti oeti'lz, 1909 1,27o, 883 Jen'nm'gs 1 Ju1y 2, -191-8 '1361060 AFer'guspon June 24, 1930 1,903,615 Town Aprf11', 1933 1,9o5,5o2 g Reid -..TT v Apr. 25, 1983 

